This document provides a brief history of Christmas trees. It explains that evergreen trees were symbols of everlasting life in ancient Egypt, China, and Hebrew traditions and were commonly decorated in homes during winter in Scandinavia. During medieval times in Germany, fir trees hung with apples to represent Adam and Eve in Eden became known as "paradise trees". The Christmas tree tradition grew popular in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were photographed with a Christmas tree in 1848. The document prompts students to envision future Christmas tree decorations and advertise their ideas.

1. History Detectives
Christmas through the ages
“Why do we put a tree inside our house?”

2. Activity 1


Write out the words
‘Christmas tree’ down your
book
For each letter of the think
of a word connected with
Christmas.
It cannot be a describing
word but it could be a
noun
e.g. money, egg-nog
C
h
r
i
s
t
m
a
s
t
r
e
e

3. Before Christianity
To the Ancient Egyptians,
Chinese and Hebrews,
evergreen trees, wreaths
and garlands were symbols
of everlasting life.
What are evergreen trees?
 In Europe tree worship was
symbolise? and people
also common
from Norway and Sweden
used to decorate their
houses with evergreen
plants at New Year to scare
away the devil.

What do they

4. Medieval Christians and trees
Europe became Christians
they still kept the tradition of
trees.
 In medieval times German
people Christians
What dohad a ‘paradisedo today
tree’. This was a fir tree
Christ at Christmas?
hung with apples to
remember Adam and Eve
in the Garden of Eden.
These trees were set up on
December 24th and candles
were often added to
represent Jesus Christ.

to remember Jesus

5. Victorian Christmas
The person who made
Christmas trees popular in
Britain was the German Prince
Albert who was Queen Victoria’s
husband.
Why would the Queen having
 In 1848 ‘The Illustrated London
make it printed a picture of the
more popular?
News’
Royal Family gathered round
their Christmas tree. After that
everyone wanted one. Victorian
trees were decorated with
candles, fancy cakes and
sweets.

a photo of a tree

6. Activity 2
What decorations do you think people will
have in the future?
 Draw an advert in your books for the
Christmas tree of 2111.


Swap with the person sitting next to you.
They check your work, writing one
positive comment and one thing to
improve.

7. Feedback

Share your Christmas tree of the future
with the rest of the class!